Prayer of the Guest Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives: Rabbi Lawrence Sernovitz on 4 June 2019

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the Congressional Record of the United States of America and Lawrence R. Sernovitz

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5 June 2019 under the Public Domain (17 U.S. Code §105 - Subject matter of copyright: United States Government works)

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Opening Prayers for Legislative Bodies, United States of America

Tags:

תחינות teḥinot, 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., English vernacular prayer, U.S. House of Representatives, Prayers of Guest Chaplains, United States Immigration Policy, Immigration policy of Donald Trump, 116th Congress

Guest Chaplain: Rabbi Lawrence R. Sernovitz, Nafshenu, Cherry Hill, NJ
Sponsor: Rep. Madeleine Dean, (D-PA)
Date of Prayer: 06/04/2019

Ms. DEAN. Madam Speaker, I am delighted to welcome to this Chamber my close friend, Rabbi Larry Sernovitz, whom we have just heard offer us a beautiful, wise prayer.
I first met Rabbi Sernovitz in Abington, in my home district, where he served Temple–Beth Am. When I was first elected to public office as a township commissioner, it was Larry, it was the rabbi, who offered a powerful benediction that evening on the importance of education, social justice, humility, and courage. Larry has been a close friend and counselor ever since.
Through Larry’s rabbinical work, he has lifted his devotion to community, faith, and family. Larry lives the creed, “Love the stranger.”
As a founder of Nafshenu in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, he seeks to create a community that places people and their hopes and their dreams first.
Most importantly, Larry is a dedicated husband to Rebecca and a loving, steady dad to Sam, Daniella, and Eden, who join him today.
It brings me great joy to welcome my good friend Rabbi Larry Sernovitz and thank him for his wise prayer.

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Contribute a translation	Source (English)
	Dear God, benevolent, compassionate, and gracious; abundant in loving kindness and truth; forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin,^[1] Cf. Exodus 34:6-7, Numbers 14:18. be with us as we open this session of the United States House of Representatives.
	Guide these courageous individuals to create holy space where healthy debate is encouraged, and the dignity and autonomy of human beings is respected and loved.
	Dear God, let us remember that the world is not complete. We are completing it.^[2] Cf. Statement of Rabbi Tarfon in Pirqei Avot/Mishnah Avot, chapter 2. In our brokenness, give us hope. Let us build the world with love.^[3] Psalms 89:3 part. May the angels around us open our hearts, lift our spirits, and give us the ability to see ourselves in the other. As our tradition teaches, love the stranger as yourself.^[4] Leviticus 19:34 part.
	Dear God, bless these Representatives with enough foolishness to believe that they can make a difference in this world, that they can do what others claim cannot be done, bringing justice and kindness to our Earth, to our children, and to humanity. The whole world is a narrow bridge. The essence is not to be afraid.^[5] ודע,‏ שהאדם צריך לעבור על גשר צר מאד מאד,‏ והכלל והעיקר שלא יתפחד כלל.‏ — רבי נחמן מברצלב, ‏ ליקוטי מוהר”ן ח”ב מ”ח “And know: a person must cross over an exceedingly narrow bridge; but the most essential thing is not to frighten yourself at all.” ~Rebbe Naḥman of Bratslav, Liqutei Moharan II:48.
אָמֵן׃	And we say together, amen.

Source(s)

116th Congress, 1st Session. Congressional Record, Issue: Vol. 165, No. 93 — Daily Edition (June 4, 2019)

Link: https://chaplain.house.gov/chaplaincy/display_gc.html?id=2921

Notes[+]

Notes
1	Cf. Exodus 34:6-7, Numbers 14:18.
2	Cf. Statement of Rabbi Tarfon in Pirqei Avot/Mishnah Avot, chapter 2.
3	Psalms 89:3 part.
4	Leviticus 19:34 part.
5	ודע,‏ שהאדם צריך לעבור על גשר צר מאד מאד,‏ והכלל והעיקר שלא יתפחד כלל.‏ — רבי נחמן מברצלב, ‏ ליקוטי מוהר”ן ח”ב מ”ח “And know: a person must cross over an exceedingly narrow bridge; but the most essential thing is not to frighten yourself at all.” ~Rebbe Naḥman of Bratslav, Liqutei Moharan II:48.

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“Prayer of the Guest Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives: Rabbi Lawrence Sernovitz on 4 June 2019” is shared through the Open Siddur Project with a Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication 1.0 Universal license.

the Congressional Record of the United States of America

The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress, published by the United States Government Printing Office and issued when Congress is in session. Indexes are issued approximately every two weeks. At the end of a session of Congress, the daily editions are compiled in bound volumes constituting the permanent edition. Statutory authorization for the Congressional Record is found in Chapter 9 of Title 44 of the United States Code. (wikipedia)

Lawrence R. Sernovitz

Lawrence Sernovitz is the rabbi/executive director of Nafshenu in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Rabbi Sernovitz founded Nafshenu with the understanding that Judaism must be reimagined to remain relevant and meaningful in today’s world. With this in mind, Rabbi Sernovitz set out to create a model of Judaism and Jewish life in Southern New Jersey that would be bold, courageous, and transformative. Assembling a core team of families who also believed in this vision, Nafshenu was created with a foundation that Jewish life first and foremost is about people, about their hopes and dreams. Rabbi Sernovitz has been focused on areas in his rabbinate that include education, interfaith matters, prayer and spirituality, and social justice. He is on the Statewide Clergy Caucus of Faith in New Jersey and received their Faith in Love award in 2018 for his justice work. He also is the recipient of Camden County’s MLK Freedom Medal for his community and justice work. Rabbi Sernovitz also serves as a Chaplain for the Cherry Hill and Maple Shade Police Departments. In April of 2016, Rabbi Sernovitz received the Ambassador Award from the New Jersey Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma. Prior to coming to Cherry Hill, he served Old York Road Temple-Beth Am in Abington, Pennsylvania, where he was honored to serve as Vice-Chair of the Montgomery County Advisory Council of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and received its Trailblazer Award in 2013 at the annual Civil Rights Luncheon. Rabbi Sernovitz is also passionate about Jewish Genetic Disease Awareness and has spoken around the country, advocating for testing among those of child bearing age.

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ויהי נעם אדני אלהינו עלינו ומעשה ידינו כוננה עלינו ומעשה ידינו כוננהו "May the pleasantness of אדֹני our elo’ah be upon us; may our handiwork be established for us — our handiwork, may it be established." –Psalms 90:17